The morning breeze of the New World no longer carried the unsettling scent of blood.
Instead, it was filled with a sweet aroma so delicious it made mouths water.
The fragrance came from the top floor of the towering Temple of Sloth in G-5.
The enormous floor-to-ceiling windows stood wide open, allowing fresh air to flow through the room.
Renzo wasn't lazing in bed, or rather, for the sake of this meal, he had exceptionally overcome gravity and sat up.
The dining table held a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
"Oh this is truly… extraordinary~."
Kizaru held a silver knife and fork while staring through his sunglasses at the delicately trembling dish before him.
The food looked like a work of art.
It was the tenderest belly meat of a premium deep-sea emperor ribbonfish, slow-pan-fried at low temperature and drizzled with a golden spice sauce.
Beside it sat freshly baked bread fluffy as clouds, along with a chilled sparkling wine rich with fruity aroma.
"Try it, Borsalino."
Renzo lazily cut off a piece of fish and placed it into his mouth.
Instantly, a look of pure bliss appeared on his face.
"Sanji spent all night researching this new dish yesterday."
"It's called Embrace of Dawn."
"That curly-brow really is a genius when it comes to cooking."
Kizaru didn't stand on ceremony.
He elegantly brought the food to his mouth.
The next second, this Marine Fleet Admiral who had seen countless storms and battles practically melted into his chair.
"Maa~… this texture…"
"It's smoother than sliding at light speed~."
Kizaru sighed emotionally before glancing out the window.
"If Sakazuki found out I was eating stuff like this here…"
"He'd probably melt his office down with magma again~."
"That's because he doesn't understand life."
Renzo gently swirled his wine glass.
"Work never ends."
"But if breakfast isn't good, you'll have no energy all day."
"And without energy, how are you supposed to uphold justice?"
"So enjoyment is the ultimate productive force."
"That's quite the crooked logic~."
Kizaru chuckled before changing the topic.
"Still, Renzo-kun… there seem to be plenty of annoying flies buzzing around the nearby seas~."
Although G-5's reputation had become immense, the New World was still the New World.
As vast wealth and resources gathered there, pirates and underground organizations inevitably circled the edges of G-5 territory like vultures.
Some hoped to pick up scraps.
Others simply wanted to cause trouble.
"Yeah. They're noisy."
Renzo set down his glass, irritation flickering in his eyes.
As an admiral determined to fully embrace laziness, nothing annoyed him more than worrying about public security while trying to enjoy life.
"Since I'm already feeding so many good dogs under me…"
"It's about time they went out and showed their fangs."
Renzo wiped his mouth with a napkin and spoke toward the round figure waiting dutifully by the door.
"Rehn."
"Your subordinate is here, my lord!"
Rehn bounced into the room like a ball, still clutching his iconic notebook.
"What are your orders, my lord? Another dessert? Or is the sunlight too bright and you need me to shoot the sun down?"
"Enough nonsense."
Renzo pointed toward the vast ocean outside the window.
"Bring Shelby in."
"Tell him I've got a job for him."
"Understood, my lord!"
Rehn grinned and immediately ran off to deliver the order.
....
Moments later, the doors opened.
A rhythmic, crisp series of footsteps echoed through the hall.
"Shelby greets Lord Renzo! Greetings, Fleet Admiral!"
If Shelby had once merely been a somewhat handsome Marine Rear Admiral, now he looked like the brightest star upon the seas.
And it wasn't just because his aura had transformed.
It was because of the uniform he wore, the exclusive G-5 Vice Admiral uniform!
Unlike the identical white suits worn by Marine Headquarters, this outfit was entirely custom-made.
Rehn had spent an absurd fortune hiring the greatest designers in the world to tailor battle attire specifically for each G-5 Vice Admiral.
Shelby's set shimmered with an elegant silver-white color, the fabric flowing like liquid mercury beneath the light.
The cut fit perfectly, emphasizing his powerful physique.
Instead of ordinary tassels, the epaulettes featured purple ribbons clasped by golden griffin claws, adorned with obsidian gemstones symbolizing G-5 glory.
But the most eye-catching part was the cape behind him.
It wasn't merely draped over his shoulders.
It floated partially using magnetic clasps.
The hem stretched dramatically long, lined with deep crimson silk burning like flames.
On the back, the word "Justice" was embroidered in flowing golden thread.
Combined with Shelby's silver hair and the crimson sword at his waist, the entire look was breathtakingly handsome.
Even the notoriously picky Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses and whistled.
"Ooh~… those clothes…"
"They shine so brightly even I'm jealous~."
"Renzo-kun, how about making me one too?"
"You're the Fleet Admiral. It'd violate regulations."
Renzo glanced at Shelby and nodded in satisfaction.
That was more like it.
His subordinates didn't just need to fight well, they needed style too.
Only then did bringing them around feel impressive.
"Shelby," Renzo spoke.
"Your subordinate awaits orders!"
Shelby dropped to one knee, eyes blazing with fanatic devotion.
All his wounds had fully healed.
After that battle, he resembled a freshly sharpened sword, radiating sharpness while still knowing how to restrain it.
"Lately there've been too many flies buzzing around our doorstep."
Renzo leaned lazily against his chair, speaking as casually as if discussing neighborhood gossip.
"Some unruly pirates, plus a few underground rats, have been running around our trade routes."
"They haven't attacked directly yet, but they're irritating to look at."
"I'm giving you three days."
Renzo raised three fingers.
"Take your fleet and clean out every ship in G-5 territorial waters that isn't flying our flag and hasn't paid protection f-"
He coughed lightly.
"-security management fees."
"Anyone who resists: sink them."
"Anyone who surrenders: drag them back to mine ore."
"Can you do it?"
Shelby suddenly lifted his head.
Pale white flames ignited instantly within his silver eyes.
"Please rest assured, my lord!"
His voice rang with absolute confidence.
"I will make those pieces of trash understand-"
"In these seas, nothing sails freely except your will!"
"This isn't just a mission."
"It's my debut performance!"
"I'll make the name Flame Emperor so terrifying that even the fish in the ocean tremble when they hear it!"
"Go on, then."
Renzo waved lazily.
"And don't dirty the uniform."
"That thing was expensive."
"Yes, my lord!"
Shelby rose, flicked his cape dramatically, and turned away.
His departing figure looked impossibly stylish.
…
G-5 Branch, Dock 13 Deepwater Harbor.
Originally built for ordinary warships, it had now become a stage showcasing steel and money.
Tens of thousands of Marines lined both sides of the docks, their eyes filled with awe and envy.
At the center of the harbor floated an enormous, highly futuristic fleet.
This was the fleet assigned exclusively to Vice Admiral Shelby, the White Flame Fleet!
Its flagship, Pegasus, stretched over five hundred meters long.
Unlike traditional wooden ships, its hull was coated in silver alloy armor developed using Vegapunk technology.
The figurehead resembled a silver pegasus ready to take flight, its eyes glowing with red laser sensors.
Around the flagship sailed ten escort ships, five destroyers, and two heavily armed artillery cruisers.
Every mast proudly flew the lazy sheep banner of G-5 alongside Shelby's personal White Flame Crown battle flag.
This wasn't a suppression mission.
It looked more like an emperor's royal procession.
"That's… Vice Admiral Shelby!"
Excited screams erupted through the crowd.
Shelby strode toward the flagship surrounded by elite guards like a superstar walking a red carpet.
With every step, a tiny white flame lotus bloomed beneath his feet, keeping him untouched by dust.
"Salute!!"
The harbor commander roared.
SWISH!
Tens of thousands of Marines saluted simultaneously with thunderous precision.
Shelby stopped at the gangway.
He produced a delicate little mirror and adjusted his bangs one final time.
Only after confirming every angle of himself was flawless did he reveal a charming smile.
"My people!"
Though he used no loudspeaker, his Haki-infused voice spread clearly across the harbor.
"Lord Renzo is watching us!"
"The seas themselves are watching us!"
"Today is the White Flame Fleet's first expedition!"
"And we have only one objective."
Shelby suddenly drew his crimson blade Moonlit Beauty and pointed it skyward.
BUZZZZ!!!
Pale white flames erupted into the heavens, outshining the noon sun itself!
"Burn away all resistance!!!"
"ROOOOAAR!!!"
The sailors roared like beasts.
It was a howl of bloodlust and devotion to strength.
"Board the ships! Depart!!"
At Shelby's command, he transformed into a streak of white light and instantly flew onto the command platform of the Pegasus.
"WOOOOOOOOOO!!"
The fleet's deep and majestic horns echoed through the clouds.
This heavily armed armada, representing the rising power of G-5's new generation, slowly sailed from the harbor.
The enormous bows split the waves apart, sending up towering sprays of seawater.
Under the sunlight, the silver warships resembled unsheathed blades thrusting straight toward the chaotic depths of the New World.
…
Meanwhile, in the outer waters surrounding G-5.
A pirate ship flying a black skull flag floated stealthily nearby.
Several pirates peered toward G-5 through binoculars.
"Hey boss, I heard G-5's been holding some tournament lately."
"Looks pretty lively."
"Should we take the opportunity to rob some isolated merchant ships?"
"Heh, obviously."
The vicious pirate captain grinned cruelly.
"They're busy with the tournament, so security's probably lax. We, "
Before he could finish, The light around him suddenly dimmed.
"Huh? Did clouds roll in?"
The captain looked up.
Then the binoculars slipped from his hands and clattered onto the deck.
Directly ahead, where empty ocean had existed moments earlier,
Now stood a line of colossal silver steel monsters.
The gigantic ships blotted out the sky.
Rows upon rows of dark cannon barrels stared coldly like the eyes of death.
And upon the bow of the largest flagship stood a man engulfed in white flames, gazing down at them as though observing insects.
"T-That's…"
The pirate captain's legs gave out.
His teeth chattered violently.
"That's G-5's… Flame Emperor Shelby?!"
"The monster who supposedly ate the Flame-Flame Fruit?!"
"Oh? There's even an appetizer like this?"
Standing at the prow, Shelby casually flicked his fingers.
"That ship is ugly."
"It severely damages the appearance of G-5 waters."
He slowly raised his hand.
At his fingertip, a highly compressed sphere of white flame condensed.
"For the sake of Lord Renzo's visual cleanliness…"
"Disappear."
"Daytime Meteor!"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A white beam instantly pierced across the sea!
The pirate ship didn't even have time to scream before being completely vaporized by the terrifying heat.
Not even ashes remained.
The seawater evaporated instantly, forming a massive mushroom cloud.
And against the backdrop of that explosion, the silver fleet never even slowed down.
It simply crushed through the boiling ocean and continued sailing toward the distant horizon.